Freelancers Fair 2027: Digital Witch targets 5,000 attendees in Lagos

By Esther Onyegbula

Nigeria’s growing remote-work and freelance industry is set to receive a major boost as Digital Witch, a Nigerian digital skills and remote-work training community with over 200,000 members, has announced plans to host the Freelancers Fair 2027 in Lagos.

The event, scheduled for Saturday, September 25, 2027, is designed to bring together freelancers, remote professionals, employers, business owners, recruiters, technology companies and other industry stakeholders to explore opportunities, address challenges and strengthen the country’s growing independent-work ecosystem.

The organisers said the fair would attract at least 5,000 physical participants, alongside a virtual audience expected to join from different parts of Nigeria and across the world.

The physical event will hold at the Grand Ballroom, Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, while the virtual component will provide opportunities for members of the wider Digital Witch community and other interested participants to engage with the programme.

According to the organisers, the initiative is conceived as a platform for connecting different players in the freelance and remote-work ecosystem, providing opportunities for professional development, business networking, knowledge sharing and engagement with prospective clients and employers.

The development comes as freelancing and remote work continue to create opportunities for Nigerian professionals to access employment and business prospects beyond geographical boundaries.

However, the growing industry also presents challenges relating to securing international clients, negotiating competitive rates, managing contracts, receiving payments, navigating taxation and remaining relevant in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.

The organisers said the Freelancers Fair would provide an opportunity to address these issues and examine the practical requirements for building, sustaining and growing successful freelance careers.

Through panel discussions, expert-led sessions, practical workshops, networking opportunities and industry exhibitions, the event will explore key issues affecting independent professionals and the wider remote-work industry.

Areas of focus will include the business and legal structures required to operate as a freelancer, client acquisition and retention, pricing and income management, professional development, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, workforce expectations, talent development and the changing relationship between freelancers and employers.

Speaking on the philosophy behind the initiative, Digital Witch founder, Ekwutosi Cynthia Okeh, popularly known as Coach Ekwy, has consistently emphasised the importance of developing competence before pursuing financial rewards.

In a September 2026 feature published on the Digital Witch platform, she stated: “Learning has to come before earning.”

The philosophy, according to the organisers, reflects the community’s approach to digital skills development, which focuses on preparing individuals not merely to access opportunities but also to acquire the knowledge, discipline and professional capacity required to succeed in the global digital economy.

They explained that the Freelancers Fair represents an extension of that commitment, providing professionals with opportunities to learn from experienced practitioners, understand industry realities, connect with potential clients and employers, and build relationships that could support their professional growth.

Beyond the learning and networking opportunities, the fair will also provide a platform for businesses and organisations seeking skilled independent professionals to connect with talent, understand the freelance workforce and explore new models of collaboration.

With a target of at least 5,000 physical attendees and additional participation through its virtual platform, the organisers said the hybrid format would extend the event’s reach beyond Lagos, enabling professionals and stakeholders across Nigeria and internationally to participate.

Digital Witch said its broader vision was to contribute to a stronger, better-informed and more connected freelance ecosystem, where digital professionals are equipped not only with relevant skills but also with the knowledge, networks and opportunities required to build sustainable careers.

Further information on registration, participation, partnerships and programme announcements will be communicated through the organisation’s official platforms.